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Airborne 03.31.15

Seiko Fukuoka Beats Previous Record By More Than 12 Miles

Woman's paragliding champion Seiko Fukuoka has set a new world's record for women during a completion held this week in Brazil. Fukuoka beat the previous record by more than 20 miles in a flight lasting just over 10 hours.

Cross Country, a magazine focused on "Free Flying", reports that the previous record had been about 201 miles set in 2009 by Kamira Pereira. Fukuoka's flight on November 20th carried her nearly 215 miles.

The magazine reports that, according to Fukuoka's track log, she departed Quixada in the northeastern portion of Brazil flying a Niviuk Icepeak 6 paraglider as part of the World XContests. The region reportedly attracts pilots from around the world in the fall to take advantage of what are considered ideal paragliding conditions ... strong consistent winds which allow the pilots to fly long distances. The location near the equator also means long flying days at nearly any time of the year.

In late October, six pilots from the Sol Team put together a flight of just over 252 miles. That month also saw a flight of 292.28 miles by paraglider Olymio Faissol.